Dental x-ray film pack having an independent developer means therein



Feb. 25, 1969 V. NERI 3,430,042

DENTAL X-RAY FILM PACK HAVING AN INDEPENDENT DEVELOPER MEANS THEREIN Filed Oct. 10. 1966 Vince/22a Nerf IN VENTOR.

Feb. 25, 1969 v NE I 3,430,042

DENTAL X-RAY FILM PACK HAVING AN INDEPENDENT DEVELOPER MEANS THEREIN Filed Oct. 10, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 Fig.7 Fig. 8

, Vince/r20 Neri INVENTOR.

22 H I m w United States Patent 3,430,042 DENTAL X-RAY FILM PACK HAVING AN INDE- PENDENT DEVELOPER MEANS THEREIN Vincenzo N eri, Turin, Italy, assignor to Phil-X, Turin,

- Italy, a corporation of Italy Filed Oct. 10, 1966, Ser. No. 585,476

U.S. Cl. 250-65 Int. Cl. G01n 23/04; G03d /02 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to the development of photosensitive elements exposed to X-rays and more particularly to a device for facilitating both the exposure and processing of X-ray photographs in connection with dental examinations and diagnosis.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a self-contained device through which an X-ray photograph is rapidly processed at any time after exposure and without any developing equipment.

While dental X-ray developing devices of the foregoing type have been heretofore proposed, they have not been generally accepted because of their cost, size and handling difficulty. For example, prior self-developing film devices have utilized seals ruptured under small external pressure to release developing fluids from internal containers having frangible seals. In other devices liquid must be added from an external source. The developing device of the present invention however overcomes the disadvantages and problems associated with prior devices by avoiding the use of internal seals forming weakened closures designed to rupture in response to external pressure, and by carrying its own processing fluid-s or solutions.

In accordance with the foregoing, the X-ray developing device of the present invention includes an outer flexible envelope having spaced chamber portions in communication with each other through an elongated connecting portion so that the photosensitive element enclosed within one of the chamber portions may be readily positioned and held with the finger within a patients mouth behind one or more teeth dur sensitive element to X-rayrad velope is therefore made ofa'ma radiation but not to X-ra after being exposed, "may at any time simply displ-acing a pair df 'p'ull'ltabs 'projec from one of. the chambersf enclosed by the flexible eirve l ope;

in spaced' relation "to the chamber I I, photosensitive" element is e'nclo'sedL The p'ull "tabs are operative through a substantial pulliiigjforceto rupture the wa'lls of flexible; sealed-containers"or packets; disposed within the envelope held iii proper position 3,430,042 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 ice therein by a relatively rigid element. Accordingly, the tabs are sequentially pulled in order to discharge processing fluids from the sealed containers into the chamber enclosing the photosensitive element. The relatively rigid element operates to mount and hold the flexible containers in position to enable development of the substantial pulling force so that the processing fluids may flow through the connecting portion of the envelope and bathe the photosensitive element therewithin.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the developing device of the present invention in use.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the developing device in a position preparatory to process of an X-ray photograph.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 3-3 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 44 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is a partial side sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 5-5 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view taken substantially through a plane indicated by section line 6-6 in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 7 is a partial front elevational view with a portion of the developing device broken away.

FIGURE 8 is a partial front elevational view similar to FIGURE 7 but showing the developing device during the processing procedure.

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view of one of the flexible containers and associated pull tabs mounted within the developing device.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be observed from FIGURE 2 that the developing device generally denoted by reference numeral 10 includes an elongated envelope or enclosure 12 having a closer chamber portion 14 at one end, an open chamber portion 16 at the opposite end and an elongated connecting portion 18 spacing the chamber portions 14 and 16 by a substantial amount. It will be apparent therefore, from FIGURE 1, that the envelope 12 may be grasped along the connecting portion 18 in order to insert the closed chamber portion 14 thereof into the mouth of a patient and manually hold it behind one or more teeth during exposure of the patient to X-rays in the usual manner. The envelope 12 is made of a flexible material which is opaque to visible radiation but not impervious to X-rays in order to protectively enclose within the closed chamber portion 14, a photosensitive element 20.

lhfflexib'le envelope 12 is preferably made of two 4 ur d 't'olg each -other at an outer peripheral heat .s'ealing' process. The flexible sheets 22 from each other along the,co nnecting of theerive lope forma flow passage 26,,estab.- lisli' g uid communication between .a ,transverselyen q larg h'amber 28 within the chamberportion .16, of.v the- .tran syersely enlarged bathing (chamber 30 within the closed chamber portion 14 of the envelope containing the photosensitive element 20. It will become apparent therefore that processing fluid will flow from the chamber 28 into the chamber 30 through the flow passage 26 when the envelope is held in the vertical position shown in FIGURES 2 and 5. Also, the internal surfaces of the sheets 22 are relatively rough in order to insure that all surfaces of the photosensitive element 20 within the chamber 30 will be exposed to the processing fluids. The processing fluids are stored within the chamber 28 connected to the flow passage 26 at a dis charge end, the end of the chamber 28 opposite thereto being opened so that a pair of pull tabs 32 and 34 may project therefrom. Also, the flexible sheets from which the envelope is made, form curved edges that are nonaligned at the open longitudinal end in order to form laterally spaced finger grasping portions 36 and 38 for purposes to be hereafter explained. The sheets 22 adjacent the open end of the envelope are also secured to each other between the finger grasping portions 36 and 38 by any suitable means including a heat seal at location 40 as shown in FIGURES l, 2 and 6. In this manner, the pull tabs 32 and 34 are spaced from each other and guided for longitudinal displacement longitudinally outwardly of the envelope.

As more clearly seen in FIGURE 9, the pull tab 32 is integrally connected to and projects from a sealed, flexible container or packet 42 which may be made for example from a folded sheet of transparent material such as cellophane internally coated with a heat sealable thermoplastic material such as polyethylene. Thus the packet 42 is heat sealed along side portions 44 and 46 and at the end portion 48 from which the pull tab 32 extends from the end of starting slot 49. The chamber enclosed by container 42 contains a body of developing fluid 50 as shown in FIGURE for example. The pull tab 34 on the other hand is integrally secured to another flexible container or packet 52 which is similar in construction to the flexible container 42 but contains another processing fluid such as a body of fixing solution 54 as shown for example in FIGURE 5.

Referring now to FIGURES 3 through 7, it will be observed that the containers 42 and 52 are disposed within the chamber 28 on opposite sides of a relatively rigid element 56 to which they are secured in any suitable fashion as for example by a staple 58. Both containers 42 and 52 are thereby positioned in chamber 28 so that the ends thereof to which the pull tabs 32 and 34 are connected, are disposed adjacent to the discharge end of the chamber 28 as shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The pull tabs 32 and 34 are also connected to the associated containers 42 and 52 on opposite lateral sides so that when folded back over the containers, they extend out of the envelope in laterally spaced relation to each other. It will be apparent that each tab will tear its packet adjacent its starting slot. Also, the fluids within the packets may be stored for prolonged periods of time without leakage because of the use of a material such as cellophane that will not deteriorate from exposure to the fluids, the thermoplastic coating being utilized to heat seal the edges and form a double layer pull tab integral with the packet.

Various different shapes for the rigid element 56 in accordance with the present invention, are contemplated. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example, the rigid element includes narrow portion 60 terminated by divergent portion 62 whereby tilting of the containers 42 and 52 is limited during rupture and withdrawal from the envelope by the pull on the tabs prevented. When ruptured, each container will discharge the contents thereof into the flow passage 26 through which the processing fluids are conducted into the chamber 30 housing the photosensitive element 20. Suitable indicia is provided at the projecting ends of the pull tabs in order to identify the containers and the processing fluids with which they are associated. For example, the container 42 for the developing fluid must initially bathe the photosensitive element for which reason the pull tab 32 associated therewith is identified by a single aperture 64 while the container 52 for the fixing solution is identified by two apertures 66 on the projecting end portion of the pull tab 34.

From the foregoing description, the construction and utility of the dental X-ray developing device of the present invention will be apparent. To use the device, the closed chamber portion 18 is inserted into the mouth of the patient as aforementioned for exposure of a fast dental film element 20 to X-rays in the usual manner. Either side of the element 20 may be exposed so as to eliminate any chance of error. After the film is so exposed, processing thereof is begun by slowly pulling the pull tab 32 thereby rupturing the container 42. By squeezing the flexible envelope along its length, the developer is urged downwardly into the chamber 30 for bathing the film element 20. After elapse of a predetermined period of time such as 30 seconds, the second pull tab 34 is slowly displaced in order to rupture the container 52 and bathe the film element 20 with fixing solution in the same manner. After elapse of an additional period of time such as 30 seconds to one minute, the grasping portions 36 and 38 of the envelope are utilized to separate the sheets 22 of the envelope in order to remove the film element 20 and rinse it under running water. It will be appreciated therefore that the developing device of the present invention eliminates the need of a dark room and facilities for handling the film and the processing solutions. Further, the developing device permits processing of X-ray film more rapidly and since the device has a relatively long storage life, it will also be useful for standby emergency use even where one continues to use dark room facilities.

The forgoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A photographic developing device comprising a flexible enclosure having spaced chamber portion interconnected by a flow portion, an independent reservoir assembly disposed within one of said chamber portions including at least two sealed containers containing processing fluids, positioning means secured to said containers, manual ,pulling means connected to said containers and projecting from said one of the chamber portions of the flexible enclosure for rupturing the containers to discharge said processing fluids into the flow passage portion, means for preventing withdrawal of the reservoir assembly from said one of the chamber portions in response to a pull exerted on the pulling means rupturing the containers, and an element sensitive to X-rays and separate from the flexible enclosure enclosed within the other of said chamber portions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible enclosure is made of a material opaque to visible radiation, said one of the chamber portions having an open end through which said pulling means extends and an opposite discharge end connected to the flow passage portion.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said manual pulling means includes at least two pull tabs.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said positioning means comprises a relatively rigid element secured to said containers adjacent to said discharge end of said one of the chamber portions.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said flexible enclosure is formed from a pair of flexible sheets peripherally secured to each other except at said open end of said one of the chamber portions, the sheets at said open end having non-aligned grasping sections for facilitating peripheral separation of said sheets.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said withdrawal preventing means is constituted by a heat seal securing the sheets to each other at a loction between the grasping sections at the open end of said one of the chamber portions.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said flexible enclosure is formed from a pair of flexible sheets peripherally secured to each other except at one open end of said one of the chamber portions, said withdrawal preventing means being constituted by a heat seal interconnecting the sheets at said open end of said one of the chamber portions blocking removal of the reservoir assembly through the open end.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said manual pulling means includes two pull tabs.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said positioning means comprises a relatively rigid element secured to said containers within said one of said chamber portions adjacent to the flow passage portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS WILLIAM F. LINDQUIST, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

